Frequently Asked Questions and Facts Index "F/G/H"

The following alphabetical index is to help you
quickly find the answer to general permit questions. The keywords
lead you to frequently asked questions and their answer, as well
as links to fact sheets and specific web pages.

Do I need
a permit to import or export feces? You do not
need a permit from us to import or export wildlife feces into
or out of the United States. We consider samples of feces
to be a wildlife byproduct, rather than a part, product, or
derivative. While we do not regulate fecal samples, we
believe it is important that researchers collect samples in
a manner that does not harm the wildlife and that complies with
the laws of the country where the collection occurs. Contact
the foreign
country to meet its requirements. If the foreign
country requires you to have a U.S. CITES document for fecal
samples, click here for an application form.
Contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Disease
Control, and State to meet
their requirements.

Fee

How
much is the application processing fee? Check
the individual application form to determine the fee, or
review the regulations at 50
CFR 13.11.

Flasked
Seedlings

Do I need a permit to import
or export flasked seedlings of CITES-listed plants? Flasked
means plant material obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media,
transported in sterile containers. Flasked seedlings of CITES
Appendix-II and -III plants and hybrids are exempt from CITES controls.
Flasked seedlings of artificially propagated Appendix-I orchid species
and artificially propagated hybrids of one or more Appendix-I species
also are exempt. Plants grown from such seedlings, however, are
listed under CITES and require permits to be imported or exported.
Check the CITES list to see how a plant species is listed. Click here for a CITES fact sheet. Check
with APHIS to meet its requirements.

Flowers,
Cut

Do I need a permit to import
or export cut flowers of CITES-listed plants? Cut flowers
of artificially propagated non-hybrid CITES Appendix-I plants require
permits to be imported or exported. All other cut flowers, including
all hybrids, are exempt from CITES controls and do not require CITES
permits to be imported or exported. Check the CITES list to see how a plant species is listed. Click here for a CITES fact
sheet. Check with APHIS to meet its requirements.

Ginseng

Do I need a permit to import
or export ginseng? American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
and the Russian population of ginseng (Panax ginseng) are listed
in Appendix II of CITES. The live plant and the following parts,
products, and derivatives are listed: whole and sliced roots and
parts of roots, excluding manufactured parts or derivatives such as
powders, pills, extracts, tonics, teas, and confectionery. Click
here for permit information on ginseng.
Check with APHIS and the State to
meet their requirements.

Guitars

Do I need a permit to import
or export my guitar? Some guitars contain wildife,
such as mother-of-pearl. If you are importing your personal
guitar that contains wildlife as accompanying baggage,
you must declare the item on the Customs declaration form.
Click here for information if
you are commercially importing or exporting guitars that
contain wildlife or if you are separately shipping your
personal guitar that contains wildlife.

Some guitars also contain Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia
nigra). This species is listed in CITES Appendix I,
and may not be traded for commercial purposes. However,
exceptions can be made for guitars that qualify as pre-Convention,
i.e., contain rosewood that was obtained prior to June 11, 1992.
Click here for an application form to export or re-export pre-Convention guitars. The guitar
must enter or exit the United States through a plant designated
port. Check with APHIS,
the State, and foreign
country to meet their requirements.

Do I need
a permit to import hippopotamus ivory? The hippopotamus
(Hippopotamus amphibious) is listed in CITES Appendix
II. Click here for a CITES fact
sheet.

The United States recognizes the CITES personal effects
exemption. You do not need a CITES permit to import
hippopotamus ivory when the item is part of accompanying
baggage, is for your personal use, and the exporting country
does not require you to have a permit. You must declare
the tusk on the Customs form at the time of import.

Not all CITES countries recognize the personal effects
exemption, and may require a CITES permit. Contact the foreign
countryto
meets its requirements.

If the ivory item is being mailed or shipped separately,
it must be accompanied by a CITES permit.

Click here for information if
you are commercially importing or exporting hippopotamus tusks or
if you are separately shipping personal items through the mail or
as cargo.

A person engaged in business as an importer or exporter
of wildlife must obtain an import/export license,
and shipments of hippopotamus items must be accompanied
by CITES permits.